Outlook (Prognosis)

The bacteria can be shed in the feces of some treated patients for months to a year after the infection. Food handlers who carry salmonella in their body can pass the infection to the people who eat their food.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if:

There is blood or pus in your stools

You have diarrhea and are unable to drink fluids due to nausea or vomiting

You have a fever above 101°F or your child has a fever above 100.4°F, along with diarrhea

You have signs of dehydration (thirst, dizziness, light-headedness)

You have recently traveled to a foreign country and developed diarrhea

Your diarrhea does not get better in 5 days (2 days for an infant or child), or it gets worse

Your child has been vomiting for more than 12 hours (in a newborn under 3 monthsyou should call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begin

Salmonella typhi organism - illustration

The causative agent of typhoid fever is the bacterium Salmonella typhi. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

Salmonella typhi organis...

illustration

Digestive system - illustration

The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.

Digestive system

illustration

Digestive system organs - illustration

The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.

Digestive system organs

illustration

Salmonella typhi organism - illustration

The causative agent of typhoid fever is the bacterium Salmonella typhi. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

Salmonella typhi organis...

illustration

Digestive system - illustration

The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.

Digestive system

illustration

Digestive system organs - illustration

The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.